Tanker stability instrument: MARPOL, IBC and IGC
The mandatory stability instrument for oil, chemical and gas tankers under MARPOL Annex I Regulation 28.6, IBC Code 2.2.6 and the IGC Code, from 1 January 2016.
The tanker stability instrument is the onboard instrument, approved by the Administration, that verifies a tanker’s intact and damage stability for the loading condition actually planned. For oil tankers it is required by MARPOL Annex I Regulation 28.6 , inserted by MEPC.248(66) and in force from 1 January 2016, with existing ships brought in at the first renewal survey on or after that date and no later than 1 January 2021. Chemical tankers carry the matching requirement in IBC Code paragraph 2.2.6, added by MSC.369(93).
The full article will cover the instrument types defined in Part B 4.1.3 of the 2008 IS Code, the approval guideline MSC.1/Circ.1229, the verification options in MSC.1/Circ.1461, the waivers in MARPOL Annex I Regulation 3.6, and how port State control officers check the document of approval. It will sit alongside the general article on the stability booklet and loading computer .